San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-07-14

up Till the small nouns, m spite OF It's beng
Lent and Rogin Ids crutchetsG'
II was Mss Darcy who spoke. There was
a large dinncr-paTty at NJ yhury Court, and
Isabel had begged Tot a carpet-dance after
wards. Mabel ,Iad come over m the after
noon, meaning 10 dress Ht the Court; and she
and Mis- Darcy had srfl .t themselves com
fgtably IN the latt-r's r5rm for cosy chat
before the drcSsiug-hr,l rang.
Mabel, | wonder il Doctor Ieathcote
dancesP'
Mabel started, and nearly upset the cup of
tea she held IN her hand.
"ls he coming to-n.-ly' she gaspcd.
yes; but sou needn't look 80 scared. |
really believe you don't like him, Mabclp'
81 should think ne d.uuccs" Mabel ven
tured to observe.
iii make him e Hc doesn't. Il Is a pity
he wastes his sweetness on the desert air Of
Torfield. He'd make his fortune in Lon
don. / suppose he will marry one OF the
rOsy-cheeked country damsplS here. Mlbep
turning round upon her abruptly-"why
don't you like Doctor llcathcotcT
81 never said | didn't like him. Mabel
stammered, blushing.
But am sure you don't Perhaps you
see rim too often, and distance lends en-
chantment to the view In my case. How
ever, you needn't feel Obliged to say you
like him. | am rather glad you don't; it
gives me more chance. There's the dress
ing-bel! Now for the mysteries of the tot
let"
MabePs adornment was accompanied by
the shedding of many tears.
"ue will marry Isabel" she thought.
'She likes him already, and she Is rich and
beautiful. Why am | so foolish as to care
for him? will try not 10 think of him amy
more"
With this resolution. Mabel applied her
self with renewed yigOr 10 her toilet; and,
when she at length Joined her friend, few
would have guessed that but short time be-
fore she had felt wrll-nigh broken-hearted.
"Oh, Mr. Maybury am 50 sorry! never
thought of your calling for me like that
What shall | doy'-and Mabel Linden
looked up with compassion at the face OF
the young Squire, so earnest and 50 full OF
tender love.
Can you not love me little, Mabel, when
| love YOU so mUch?' The young mans
voice was low ami sweet. and his dark eyes
glOwed with the intensity Of his passion.
"NO-Oh, no, | cannot, Do not ask mc!'
and Mabel hid her fac in her hands.
Reginald sighed YEARLY and turned away.
Mabel heard tile Sigh, and il SmOtc her to the
heart. She Went over e. HIM and laid her
hand gently on his arm.
"Mr MayburJ," she said softly, believe
me, am really sorry this has happened.
like you very much; but | cannot love you
as you deserve to be loved by the woman
you would honor by making her your wife.
You would not wish me to play the hypO-
critic, and say / cared for you. when all the
while it is but friendship which | feel for
your
you love some one eser' Reginald said
mOOdily.
Mabel started and blushed. The Squire
turned and looked at her.
at is Guy Heathcoter' he SAID wildly.
I'VE entered the lists together; he has won
and have lost. Heaven help me!'-and
the young man sank down on the broad
windOw-Seat and laid his head deSpairingly
upon his folded arms.
Mabel stood beside him, not daring u
speak. Presently the Squire rose and con
frOnted her.
Miss Linden" he said quietly, striving to
command his voice, 'yOu have given me my
answer; shall not trouble you again.
would have given my life to make you
happy. | will do so now in a manner, for it
Is like giving ii to lose you and see you the
happy wife of another, even though that
other is my friend. Heaven bless and keep
you, my darling r'-and, taking her hands in
his, Reginald bent his head and softly kissed
her golden hair. Forgive mer' he muI-
INJURED. 1T is for the first and last time; ~
and then he left her, and was seen no more
that night.
people were asking me last night if you
and Miss Linden were sisters, Isabel. 1t
was strange within, your dressing alike.
Blue suits you better than it does her,
though; her complexion is too rosy"
At this speech of Mrs. Maybury's, made at
the breakfast-table the next morning, Rcgi-
maid looked annoyed and Miss Darcy
laughed.
Dear Mrs. Maybury, you are pTejudiced
against Mabel, think. Why, she looked
charming-eveTybOdy said 50! In fact, she
quite cut me out, 1t was rather awkward
though, our being dressed alike, for Doctor
HeathcOte came and was exceedingly tender
in his manner. don't know that he didn't
call me darling What's the matter, Reg
inald? Is your tea too hot? He said after
wards he was under the impression that he
was talking to Miss Linden. Very pleasant
for mer'
81 have often thought they would make Il
capital pair. They have my best wishes, "
said Mrs. MaybuTy cOmpIaccntly.
Reginald rose at this point. With smOtII-
cred imprecatiOn, he got up and left the Ia
Bile, slamming the door behind him.
'Oh, dear! What can have happened To
Reggie? He has become very violent in
his manner lately"
Perhaps he is in love" suggested Isabel,
with an amused look.
Heaven forbid" calculated Mrs. May
bury feyently, unless she continued.
glancng at Miss Darcy, lit IS with tine per
son whom | should desire to see his wife"'
"a most unlikely thing!' Isabel remarked
quietly, as she rose and gathered up her let
tiers.
Mrs. Maybury said nothing, but looked
after her as she left the room and sighed.
DEAR GUY,-Many happy returns of
your natal davl Please aceeGt q token
10 30 C0atinuod.l
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MEM hnUEpTIcEM MTG